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When we think of pollution, we often imagine smog-filled skies, plastic in oceans, or toxic waste. But there’s another form of pollution hiding in plain sight — or rather, in plain sound. It’s the constant roar of traffic, the hum of planes overhead, the rumble of trains: environmental noise. And although it’s mostly invisible, its impact is loud and clear.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), noise pollution — especially from transport — is one of the top environmental risks to health in Europe. Yet it remains strangely absent from most political debates and public awareness.

Europe’s decibel trap

The numbers speak volumes. Over 110 million Europeans — more than 1 in 5 — are exposed to noise levels above the legal limits set by EU regulations.

The main culprit? Road traffic, responsible for exposing 92 million people to daytime noise above 55 decibels (dB) and night-time noise above 50 dB — thresholds defined in the EU’s Environmental Noise Directive. But the World Health Organization (WHO) sets the bar even lower. According to their guidelines, safe noise exposure levels are stricter — meaning more than 150 million Europeans may actually be at risk.

A silent epidemic

Excessive noise is more than just annoying — it’s dangerous. Chronic exposure can trigger a cascade of health problems, starting with sleep disruption and stress, and potentially leading to cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and even mental health issues.

Each year, transport noise contributes to:

  • 66,000 premature deaths
  • 50,000 new cases of heart disease
  • 22,000 new cases of type 2 diabetes 

Recent studies also point to its potential role in the development of depression and dementia.

And young people aren’t spared. In 2021 alone, noise exposure was linked to:

  • 560,000 cases of reduced reading comprehension among children
  • 63,000 behavioural issues
  • 272,000 cases of overweight or obesity

Noise pollution now ranks among the top three environmental threats to health in Europe, alongside air pollution and climate-related risks — ahead of dangers like passive smoking or lead exposure.

Nature Isn’t Immune

Noise pollution doesn’t stop with humans. The EEA warns that at least 29% of Natura 2000 areas — protected habitats for Europe’s most valuable species — are exposed to harmful levels of noise, disrupting wildlife behaviour.

In the oceans, the problem deepens. Marine noise from ships, offshore construction, and resource exploration threatens sensitive species like whales and dolphins, interfering with their navigation, communication, and hunting abilities.

The worst underwater noise pollution has been recorded in the English Channel, Gibraltar Strait, Adriatic Sea, Dardanelles, and parts of the Baltic Sea.

Counting the Costs

Noise pollution isn’t just an environmental or health issue — it’s also an economic one.

The external costs of noise-related diseases in the EU are estimated at €95.6 billion annually — nearly 0.6% of the EU’s GDP. That’s on par with the costs of widespread non-communicable diseases and higher than those of some environmental disasters.

Yet despite the scale of the problem, progress has been painfully slow. Between 2017 and 2022, the number of people severely affected by noise in the EU dropped by only 3%.

The EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan aims to cut chronic noise exposure by 30% by 2030. But the EEA warns that without additional and decisive action, this goal will be out of reach.

Real solutions are on the table

Fortunately, we know what works.

The EEA recommends several effective solutions, including:

  • Creating green and quiet zones in cities
  • Reducing speed limits in urban areas
  • Investing in quieter rail infrastructure
  • Promoting low-noise tires and vehicles

In aviation, reorganizing flight paths and modernizing aircraft fleets to reduce sound emissions are key.

Cities can also be reimagined. Urban “buffer zones” — green strips separating roads from residential buildings — and promoting sustainable mobility (cycling, walking, and public transport) can lower noise at the source.

A systemic problem needs a systemic response

Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the EEA, says it plainly: noise isn’t a personal inconvenience — it’s a structural issue.

“Noise pollution is often overlooked, treated as just part of everyday life. But its impacts are widespread and serious,” she says.

Her message to EU countries is clear: tackling noise pollution isn’t optional. It’s a necessity if Europe wants to truly deliver on its environmental and public health commitments.

Because noise doesn’t stop at borders — and it affects people regardless of age, income, or background. Addressing it requires the same political will as fighting climate change or cleaning up the air.

Only then can Europe become a place where quiet is valued again — for our health, our well-being, and the planet we share.

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